Rocky Road

Anne V is on top of the world—in more ways than one. Capping what could be called a pinnacle year in her career, the model summited the San Juan Mountains, battling freezing temperatures and 30-mph gusts to hike the craggy alpine terrain, take in spectacular views and reflect on her next big moves.

"My favorite thing is to hike and climb a mountain and then sit and meditate after. That's the reward," says the Russian-born Vyalitsyna. She credits intense workouts (she's also an avid runner) and her daily meditation practice with helping her navigate the hike's challenges.

Life as an in-demand model has its own challenges, too. Since moving to New York City at age 15—after she signed with a modeling agency in Russia—the 28-year-old has been working practically nonstop, booking major campaigns for everyone from Chanel to Chloé and appearing in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition for 10 years running. Last year she made her acting debut in Lullaby, a film directed by Andrew Levitas, and appeared as a coach on the second season of The Face, Oxygen's modeling competition show. The TV experience ignited her interest in mentoring young women—something she wishes she'd been able to benefit from at the start of her own career. "When I came to America, I was alone, I didn't have my parents with me, I didn't speak a word of English," she says.

Vyalitsyna recently began ­volunteering with Step Up, a nonprofit that pairs high school–age girls with mentors. "You go and talk to these girls once a month about how to deal with insecurities, become more confident and reach for your dreams. It's the coolest thing I've ever done."

She also traveled to Zambia with (RED) to volunteer at an all-girls school. Vyalitsyna now works as a celebrity ambassador for the organization to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS. "When I first started working with them, I said, 'How can I make a difference? I'm just a model.' But they changed my mentality. Every single person is part of the puzzle," she says. It's a message she hopes to spread even more in the future. "I'm really happy with where I am in my life," she says. "I want to share that by contributing to the world and making it a better place." Now, that's model behavior.

Bright Outlook

A bold zippered top, army jacket and cap get a stylish upgrade with geometric earrings and a color-block scarf. "You can mix a lot of different colors and look edgy and fashionable—even while hiking!" Vyalitsyna says.

The Final Push

Sporty pieces enter new territory with fresh design details, like buckles on a vest and ankle zips on fitted cargoes. "I usually wear convertible pants when I hike," Vyalitsyna says. "These are a chic update."